In answer to Alan Coppens letter, Southampton City Council does not own the Royal Pier it has always be owned by Southampton Docks now APB

In September 2013, it was announced that Associated British Ports had voted to back a “flagship” £450m plan which could transform Southampton’s waterfront. The redevelopment of the derelict Royal Pier could make it one of the nation’s most vibrant seafront destinations. February 2014 also saw speculation that the Royal Pier could be come a ‘super-casino’.

Then in July 2014, RPW (Southampton) Ltd, the developers for the Royal Pier site, launched a new website detailing their plans. In a statement, the company said “Southampton’s historic waterfront is steeped in a tradition of discovery, innovation and industry. This development – as well as our newly launched website – will follow in those same proud traditions.”

In July 2017 it was reported that KPMG, the current backers for the £450m Royal Pier scheme, had raised doubt over its viability because of the disposal of a significant quantity of contaminated silts needing to be removed from the river bed in order to construct new platforms for the development. The local council were holding meetings with potential investors and had confidence the project would progress.

August 2019. A £450m waterfront development deal was terminated by the council after five years. The proposed Royal Pier Waterfront scheme would have included a hotel and a casino on land reclaimed from the River Test in Southampton. Southampton City Council said it had ended an agreement signed in 2014 with developer RPW Southampton Ltd but did not explain why.

Since then nothing else has happened

So it not up to Southampton City Council to use money they don't have to do anything with the pier. It's the owners ABP only, who if they wish, to agree with a development company that would follow through with the development and obviously with Southampton City Councils support and agreement.

Marie Birkett

Southampton